
Spotlight Article:
A New Guide for Solar Plan Reviewers, Code Inspectors, and Installers
When an industry grows as fast as solar, it can be challenging for consumers, contractors, and code officials to be in lockstep on the path to a successful installation—from plan review to inspection ...
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The Cost of Solar Photovoltaic Systems Fell in 2008
Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory released a new study on the installed costs of solar photovoltaic (PV ) power systems in the U.S., showing that the average cost ... [continue reading]

Hummingbird House: Design for Everyone
This is an excerpt from a conversation I had with Larry Weingarten, a water heater expert and Renaissance tinkerer, at the 2009 ACEEE Hot Water Conference last June 2009. [continue reading]

Rightsizing Solar PV Systems
If the solar bug has bitten your client, how do you help them to select a rightsized system for their needs? [continue reading]

A Wisconsin Usonian Home: 37 Years of Energy History
Not your average homeowners - this couple has kept energy use data for 37 years. [continue reading]

Wisdom Way Solar Village
It takes a village in this Massachusetts community to create sustainable, affordable housing. [continue reading]

Live Like a Leaf
The Leaf Community is the first sustainable community created in Italy. [continue reading]

Near Net Zero Energy House
Results are in for a full year of energy generation and use at the Near Net Zero Energy house, in Colrain, Massachusetts, developed and built by Rural Development, Incorporated, (RDI) of Turners Falls, Massachusetts (see &... [continue reading]

Toward an Affordable Zero-Energy Home
Rural Development, Incorporated (RDI) is recognized nationally as a leader in developing and building sustainable and affordable housing; part of RDI’s mission is to provide efficient, healthy, affordable homes to residents of Franklin ... [continue reading]



Building Performance Journal Editors
Our Blog Has Moved
Thanks for your interest in contributing a blog to the Building Performance Journal (formerly Home Energy magazine). We’re ...


Jim Gunshinan
Is Energy Efficiency an American Value?
Energy efficiency is good for the economy, good for families, good for workers, and good for the environment.


